Interesting Bleach Read:Co-Evolution of Ichigo's Power and His Mask

After reading chp. 231, I came to notice that Ichigo's mask hasn't been always the same. Intrigued, I re-read the manga, and found some very interesting things. After exhaustive indepth research, I present you with the following theory:

Ichigo's mask gains stripes as he gains power.

Ah, I guess you're saying, 'No way, I'm not believing any of this stuff!!!' about now. Well, ladies and gentlemen, prepared to be astounded by the sight of one of the rarest species of the Bleach-theory world! Ladies and gentlemen, I present you with, Proof.

http://img82.imageshack.us/img82/4999/ichigomask5vg.th.gif (http://img82.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ichigomask5vg.gif)
Click for a larger image.

Now, for the explanation of each mask...
1. This is the first time we see Ichigo's mask, when he is attempting to regain his shinigami powers at the bottom of the Shattered Shaft. As you can see, only two stripes are present. Chp. 64 has panels of his fully-formed mask as well, and again, only two stripes can be seen.

2. This is after Ichigo's fight with Renji; Hanataro discovers Ichigo's mask as he is healing him, and comments that it saved Ichigo's life. Now, we all know that Ichigo has gone through a power-up due to his training with Urahara. Lo and behold, three stripes.

3. We see the mask a third time after Ichigo's fight with Zaraki Kenpachi, when Yoruichi heals him. Again, Yoruichi comments that the mask saved his life. Now, Ichigo underwent a kind of boost in power in the Kenpachi fight, because he realized the importance of harmonizing with Zangetsu and learned to draw on its power. The result: four stripes with the beginnings of a fifth one.

4. This is sort of an iffy one here; Ichigo's final fight with Byakuya. Of course, at this point, Ichigo again became stronger; this time, due to his bankai training with Yoruichi. Now, during the fight, Ichigo breaks down and his hollow side momentarily takes over. As the mask is forming, we can see that the fifth stripe, which was only a short stub before, now fully reaches to the edge of the mask. Some of you may wish to argue that in certain panels of chapter 166, the mask appears to be the same as before. To this I say, in other panels, it appears otherwise. Thus, I conclude the irregularities as a Kubo-got-lazy drawing **** :P
5. We see this mask as Ichigo trains to control his hollow, under the guidance of the Vizards. Is Ichigo stronger at this point than during his fight with Byakuya? Maybe, but not significantly. As if to reflect this, his mask still has five stripes, although the forth and fifth are now seperated, and the fifth appears to be slightly thicker now.

6. And now, for the finale! As Ichigo affirms his place as 'King,' and gains access to a hollow-mode--which translates access to a massive power-up--his mask gains four stripes to a whooping total of nine. (Three stripes are added to the chin, and another stripe added to the forehead area.) Go Ichigo! Go my theory!

Chp. 222, pg 10

i found this to be a very interesting read, which could be old but interesting nonethelss. oppinions? 

http://www.bleachforums.com/archive/index.php/t-17659.html  

dude you cant start random threads like that you need a captains permission who sanctioned thisDracon_08

srry about that dracon i didnt mean any disrespect, i just thought i could post anyting. 

anyways that some good theoy going on :) I think it might going happen battle between epsada 4th and him.Nightmare-_-

yea im starting to think that to. 

Are you talking about those [spoiler] stripes that kid gets on his hair? i think it starts with a s [/spoiler]

btw does the other vizards have these stripes? 

btw does the other vizards have these stripes?

xchaosx97

I believe the only other Vizard whose mask was shown was Shinji, and I don't remember there being stripes.

What's with the big word usage? >.>

What's with the big word usage? >.>

xchaosx97

It's called transference, ironically.

Interesting theory but I have to say I still havent checked it out yet due laziness :PEucalypta

Same here.:o

I did notice that different numbers of stripes on Ichigo's mask, but wasnt quite sure what to contribute it to. However this does make the most sense because it does seem that they increased in number after each big fight he had.